Options Trading News

A large put spread dominates today's option activity in the iShares U.S. Real Estate Fund as it trades just off its highs.

optionMONSTER systems show that a trader bought 4,000 September 64 puts for $2.20 and sold 4,000 September 54 puts for $0.56. Open interest was 16 and 0 respectively, so this is a new vertical spread. (See our Education section)

This position cost the trader $1.64, which is the maximum potential loss if shares are above $64 at expiration in mid-September. The maximum gain of $8.36 would be realized if the exchange-traded fund is below $54 at that time.

The IYR is flat on the session at $67.58 in early afternoon trading. The stock was down at support at $61 in mid-November and climbed to $68.31 last week, its highest price since June 2008.

So far, my articles have taken you through a logical progression of option theory and fundamental concepts of options. As of yet, I have not mentioned a single strategy and for a good reason! The actual application of a strategy should come AFTER you learn about the option product itself.

optionMONSTER® provides stock market insight, advanced options education, and actionable trade ideas to meet the needs of do-it-yourself investors. After spending decades in the trading pits of Chicago, Jon 'DRJ' and Pete Najarian founded the company in 2005 to help people better manage their own investment portfolios.

OptionsHouse is separate from but affiliated with optionMONSTER®. Both are subsidiaries of Aperture Group, LLC.

All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, industry, sector, market, financial product, trading strategy, or individual's trading does not guarantee future results or returns. Investors are fully responsible for any investment decisions they make. Such decisions should be based solely on an evaluation of their financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.

optionMONSTER's reference to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Specific securities are mentioned for informational purposes only.